New member from Lone Star State

[teng]

Hi all,

My name is Teng, I'm from Austin TX. I just felt in love with antique pocket watches. So I would like to get into this hobby. I would love to service the watch, replace parts or restore the watch. Any suggestion would be appreciated for a new starter. Such as tools to work on, cleaning machine, cleaning solution. Case repair and case polish and polishing solution.  Thank you in advance and hello to all members.

 

Thanks,

Teng

[Watchtime]

Hi Teng, welcome here and prepare yourself.....there is a load of knowledge here and a lot to read. Do a search on the forum and you will find all you need.

Enjoy.

[clockboy]

Welcome Teng, there are lots here for a starter, tools,lubricants etc. Just enter what you are looking for in the  search box. If still not finding what you are looking for ask a question in the appropriate section (watch help repairs & advice) of the forum. Enjoy.

[Cad101]

Hello Teng and welcome youll find all you need here by a quick search and if you don't just ask.

Mick

[oldhippy]

Welcome Teng, you will find loads of info on here to help you.

[teng]

Thank you all. I just bought broken L&R master cleaner, have 3 jars but no basket. It was easy fix for me, the power cord not working. Now that cleaner is running. But I do not have anything to try out yet.  I need a very dirty movement and some solution.

 

Teng.

[dadistic]

Welcome!

 

[Vich]

Hello Teng and welcome,

The movement does not need to be that bad, if you have, or get yourself an old simple cheap working pocket watch from the bay, then think about doing a full service on it.

So you will need to take it apart clean it all down and put it back together oiling on the way.  There are others more versed than I but I would suggest staying away from the fusee type movements and stick to something more simple for your first attempt. Take pics every time you remove a part before and after for a reference for re assembly. 

Buy just what you need to work on that watch and you can add additional tools as you move on to other projects. 

Case repair is a whole separate set of skills on its own, polishing is not so bad, there are threads available on most topics like oils and tools, we are always talking about the benefits of good drivers and tweezers and the "dressing" of them on this forum

I am sure that you will get help here if you get stuck.  Take your time, research your project and be patient but expect trials and tribulations, it goes with the game.

Cheers,

Vic

[teng]

Thanks Vich,

I've just got 2 Elgin 6S, not running. One was broken staff, the other just won't run at all. So I tear that down and clean it (using cheap screwdrivers and tweezers. screwdrivers from my other Telecommunication job, tweezers from my long long time ago when I was in college I worked for electronic company) I was cleaning the movement's parts with lighter fluid and tooth brush. I put it back together took me 2 and 1/2 hours to put it back. Oiling the movement and start to wind, it was running strong. I was so happy about it. I left home to go to work. I've just got back about 5 minutes ago and checked on the movement it stopped. I twisted the movement, the balance swing for few seconds then stop. I started to wind the movement it's fully wound I kept the steam won't release it, the movement ticks strongly. But it will stop when I release the steam.

Any idea what's happen to the movement or what did I do wrong. I might take it apart tomorrow and check it every part again before I put them back. 

Thanks for all the feedback and idea. This is just my hobby, hopefully it will be my main job in the future.

 

[Vich]

 

5 hours ago, teng said:

I kept the steam won't release it, the movement ticks strongly. But it will stop when I release the steam.

Are you saying that when you pull out the stem, as if you were going to adjust the time etc. the movement stops or have I misunderstood.

Either way pics of the movement would be useful for a better understanding and we may be able to spot something.  As you have had it apart and back together then you have to retrace your steps but first have a good look at it through the loupe, manification of the various parts may help and even a bit of muck or a tiny hair could affect things. What oil did you use on it.  Could you have bent something during your cleaning process, I tend to use ultrasonic cleaners but use naptha (lighter fluid) just like you, a toothbrush could possibly adversely affect a wheel. Unfortunately at this stage there are too many reasons to quote.  If you do take it apart again check that the train wheels are all ok and not twisted, go slowly and be scrupulously clean look at each part carefully through magnification.

Cheers,

Vic

 

 

[Vich]

Just a thought Teng,

Have you cheched the clearance between the hands, some times they can catch each other if the spacing is not right.

Cheers,

Vic

[teng]

Thanks Vic,

I just put the movement back together 45' ago. I went out to bought some stuff and let the movement running while I was away. It's still running until now. 

I haven't installed the dial and hands back to the movement yet. I've just want to let it run for few hours then will install dial and hands and start timing to see it keeps time or not.

Back to your oil type question. Honestly I have no idea what kind of oil I'm using. It's from the jeweler gave it to me a couple of month ago. He told me that this oil is watch oil, he used to service watches at his previous store. I kept it in medicine cup measurement for children. I don't have an oiler yet so I'm using a toothpick sharpen the ends to smallest I can to do oiling.

Below I attached the movement, dial and open face case. Movement serial number  15945444.

Teng.

[Vich]

Sounds like the re assembly may have put something right though you will know for sure until the watch is placed in various different positions ie on its side or face as if it was in your pocket.

In time you will get things together and gain more tools sometimes circumstances dictate what you have to use but a miniscule bit of wood or indeed anything could stop a watch.

don't know if you have seen this: https://www.minus4plus6.com/pocket.php

Good luck and Health,

Vic

[Deggsie]

Hi all,
My name is Teng, I'm from Austin TX. I just felt in love with antique pocket watches. So I would like to get into this hobby. I would love to service the watch, replace parts or restore the watch. Any suggestion would be appreciated for a new starter. Such as tools to work on, cleaning machine, cleaning solution. Case repair and case polish and polishing solution.  Thank you in advance and hello to all members.
 
Thanks,
Teng

Hello Teng and welcome. I am also very much a novice but would like to say I've found the folks on this forum very patient and willing to spend a lot of time giving thorough and useful replies. Good luck and I look forward to learning with you. All the best Deggsy


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